The kiss was as much a fire as was the longing that had been burning Sameer... the kiss was as much fervent as Naina's yearning for him.

His tongue filled up all warm corners of her mouth... her taste filled up all craving parts of his hungry mouth.

His one hand moved on her back, one traced the line of waist that was encircled by the kamarband... her one hand bunched up the hair at his nape, one roamed freely on the bare back rippling with muscles.

His lowered head assaulted her senses, making her forget all about sleep... her arched form fuelled his desire, making him forget all about sleep.

The need to breathe seemed to be trivial... it was like their life depended on the touch that was their reason to live and the source of their life.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sameer left her mouth, only to breathe for a second before placing his lips on her flared cheeks, skimming down the heated skin to taste every bit of her. His small kisses made her shudder in his arms. His arms tightened, giving her support as her legs became too weak to bear her weight. A deep sound rose from the back of her throat when his lips settled into the hollow at the center of her neckline.

His hand pressed into the small of her back, arching her more. Her posture presented an alluring invitation and he accepted heartily, burying his face in her soft curves. Her feminine fragrance engulfed him, fogging his mind with the need for more.

His hand on her waist moved... and his fingers tangled with the kamarband, reminding him of what he wanted to do ever since he saw it on her.

She gave him a startled look when he straightened, pulling himself away.

Next moment, he kneeled in front of her, holding her by the waist. Whomsoever thought that a woman's waist could bear the weight of an ornament  had to be heartless... but whomsoever thought that the slender waist  adorned with a single piece of jewel could make it so riveting had to be someone hopelessly in love with his woman.

He was entranced by the way the kamarband rested on the curve of her waist at one side while it gave in to gravity on the other. Curling his fingers around it, he pulled it up slightly, making the whole thing wrap over the skin, around her navel.

His heartbeat skyrocketed at his own doing. As the shining metal glistened against her milky skin, he felt a heated onslaught of blood pounding in his ears.

Digging his fingers at the sides of her waist, he peppered her waist with kisses all around the intriguing embellishment.

Naina held onto his shoulders, her nails scraping his skin. With each touch of his lips on her sensitive skin, her nerves tightened to a coiled mess, making a deep ache fill her up from head to toe.

When she could take it no more, her knees buckled and she sank on the floor... in front of him. He instantly gathered her in his arms.

Her eyes were glazed. He cupped her face with one hand, touching her swollen lower lip.

"Tum itni sundar kaise ho, Naina?" His voice didn't sound his own.

She looked into his eyes... the depth of his words reflecting in the admiration that was evident in his dark orbs.

"Tumne bana diya." Her deep voice made his eyes grow darker.

She surged ahead... he waited to feel her lips on his own. She didn't comply... placing small kisses around his jaw, his cheeks, at the corners of his mouth, on the tip of his nose... everywhere except where he craved for.

"Naina." He urged.

She placed a finger on his mouth, and went about to cover every inch of his face and throat with her fervent kisses.

His hand behind her sought the dori, pulling it open with one tug. As his hand explored the shoulder, she trembled.

"Kya hua?" He stopped.

"Woh... woh tumne... wahan... " She searched for words.

And he recalled the love bite he had marked her with a few hours back. He pulled down the fabric, looking at the mark which had turned blue... stark on her white skin. He kissed over it.

Her fist bunched his hair at the back of his head. She slightly shifted in his arms... he loosened his hold to make her more comfortable. And the next moment, he felt a sharp nip of her teeth... exactly at the same point on his shoulder where he had given it to her.

"Badla." She pulled back, her eyes filled with a triumphant glint.

His hand flew to the mark on his shoulder. Taking advantage of his lost control, she got up, running away before he could hold her.

"Nainaaaa." He groaned, getting up to run after her.

Holding up her lehenga with both hands, one side of her blouse slipping down the shoulder, laughing with abandon, she dodged him, running around the furniture.

He lunged at her. She twisted her waist to give him a slip. His hand touched her loose bun, and the hair tumbled down her back. When she looked behind, giggling, his breath got caught in his throat.

She didn't look real... she was indeed a fantasy... running around in the room with her hair flying, her disheveled clothes, her twinkling, suggestive eyes...

His gaze fell to the kamarband again... bouncing against her waist.

And he was jealous of it... the way it snugly hug her all evening, in front of the entire world, while he pined to go near her...

Taking two large steps, he jumped over the table and caught her from behind.

Lifting her off the ground, he whispered in her ear, "Badla toh ab main lunga... iss kamarband se."

She wriggled in his grip, and slipped down a little, her feet still in air.

"Sameer chodo." She giggled.

"Itna tadpane ke baad ab mili ho... ab kahin nahi jaane dunga." He nuzzled his nose at the back of her neck.

She dipped her head to the side, melting in the sensation his touch was creating.

He slowly put her down, turning her to face him. His eyes held her captive as his fingers deftly pulled at the clasp of kamarband. It didn't budge. He tried harder, the ends refused to part. Frowning, he looked down at it, holding the clasp with both hands.

Naina followed his gaze, drawing in her breath as he tried to remove the stubborn piece.

When nothing worked, Sameer kneeled again, concentrating on the secured metal hook. But the clutch refused to give in. His eyes fell on the other side of her waist. Due to constant pulling, the edges had been rubbing on her delicate skin, making it red. He stroked the rashes with his fingertips. Annoyed at the discomfort it was giving to his Naina, he held both ends of the kamarband, and pulled apart with force. The clasp gave way, falling to the floor with a clicking sound.

She gasped, "Toot gaya."

"Ispe naya hook lagwa dunga... har baar itna tang karega toh kaise bardaasht karunga?" He stood up, putting the open piece of jewellery on the side table.

She looked down at the red marks on her waist. As her henna painted fingers moved on the bare, milky waist, his senses lost all sanity. Picking her up in his arms, he strode towards the bed.

The myriad of colours on the horizon were no comparison to the vibrant explosion that assuaged them together, tangled in each other's arms.

As the world woke up to chipring of birds and spread of daylight, two spent souls drifted into a satiated sleep.

When Naina opened her eyes a few hours later, the brightness outside confirmed that it was around noon. But there was no rush to get up. They didn't have to go anywhere. Ramdhari had already been instructed not to come today. They had the whole day to themselves.

After a hectic week of running between the two houses and venues, helping chachaji and chachiji with preparations, sleeping late and getting up early, she wanted the day to be a relaxed one today... even for Sameer. He would have to start office from the next day so it was important for him to get as much rest as possible.

With a deep exhale, she tucked her hands under her face, looking at the sleeping form of her husband.

With one hand on his chest, he was sleeping on his back. Quilt was gathered around his waist, with the upper part left bare. The steady rise and fall of his chest indicated his state of deep sleep.

She wanted to touch him... to place her hand on his heart... to feel the rhythm. But she knew she couldn't do it. Her touch would change the rhythm instantly, waking him up.

As if he could hear her thoughts, he turned in sleep, throwing a hand around her, and pulled her closer, plastering her to his chest as his head burried in her neck.

The thudding against her wasn't steady anymore.

"Good morning, sweetheart." His gruff voice tingled her spine.

"Good morning, jaan." She replied sweetly.

His arm tighened around her, "Uff, subah subah yeh kya keh diya."

Naina chuckled, "Subah nahi hai... dopaher ke ek bajne wale hain."

He lifted his head to look at her face, "Meri subah tab hoti hai jab main aankhen kholun aur tum saamne ho."

"Main toh roz tumhare saamne hi hoti hun." She gazed into his eyes.

"Isliye toh har subah itni khoobsurat hoti hai." He grinned.

"Achaa, ab uth ke naha lo. Main kuch khane ko bana deti hun... tumhe bhook lagi hogi na." She said in a concerned voice.

"Naina, aaj humein kahin nahi jaana... aur ghar pe koi hai bhi nahi... aaj aise hi raho na, meri baahon mein... kuch nahi chahiye mujhe tumhare alava." His voice had an earnest plea which tugged at her heart.

"Kya hua, Sameer?" She cupped his face, lines of tension creasing her forehead.

He planted a kiss on her forehead, "Kuch nahi hua... sirf yeh pal jeena chahta hun jo itni mushkil se meri zindagi mein aaye hain... yeh khushi hamesha rahegi iska yakeen hai mujhe par uss yakeen ko mehsoos karna chahta hun."

Though she was perplexed by his words, she didn't say anything when he laid on his back again, scooping her to himself. She was on her side, secured in his arm, head on his shoulder, hand on his chest.

He placed his hand on hers, looking up at the purring fan, "Jab main akela rehta tha toh subah uthkar kabhi kabhi aisa lagta tha jaise zindagi ka khalipan kabhi bharega hi nahi... jaise meri har subah aisi hi veeran aur khamosh hogi... ek ajeeb si dehshat, ek ghutan hoti thi... lagta tha iss subah ki roshni ka kya karun... jab kuch dekhne ke liye hai hi nahi toh mujhe roshni kyon chahiye... sach kahun toh isiliye maine bhari aur gehre parde laga ke rakhe the hamesha... chid hoti thi roshni se jo yeh ahsaas dilati thi ki jab poori duniya subah hone ki khushi mana rahi hai, mere paas koi wajah nahi hai iss subah ke intezar ki."

Her eyes pooled up thinking about the loneliness and despair he must have been through.

She placed a kiss on his neck, unable to speak as her throat choked up. He looked at her... and smiled.

"Aur phir achanak tum aa gayi meri zindagi mein... apni bholi si muskaan aur pyar jatati aankhon se tumne mere dil mein itne sapne saja diye ki main raat bhar unn sapno ki duniya mein rehne ke baad jab subah uthta tha toh bas ek hi baat ki jaldi hoti thi... ki school pohoch ke tumhe dekh sakun." He pressed his hand more on hers, making her aware of his rising heartbeat.

"Tumhe dekh ke lagta toh nahi tha tum itne bechain ho mujhe dekhne ke liye." She managed to utter, her heart lightening up at his smile.

His eyes turned intense, "Main kitna bechain tha yeh main hi jaanta tha... kisi ko bataa nahi paaya... Munna Pandit ke bahane se tumhari class mein aata tha subah sabse pehle... kisi din woh agar bahar hi mil jaate the toh mujhe bohot gussa aata tha... lekin mera pyar mein pagal dil koi naya bahana dhoond leta tha unke saath class mein jaane ka."

She had heard about his love for her in school so many times but each time it amazed her a little more. Her eyes had followed him in school constantly... but still could not catch him looking at her once.

"Aur fir sab khatam ho gaya... woh kaali raatein fir se aa gayi meri zindagi mein... nanu ke jaate hi aisa laga ki ab kabhi subah aayegi hi nahi mere liye." His voice was heavy again.

She pulled her hand from his grasp, putting it on his lips. When he looked down at her, she shook her head slightly, pursing her lips to stop their quivering at his pain.

He took a deep breath, and kissed her fingers, "Lekin subah aayi mere liye... aur itni roshni lekar aayi ki meri aankhon se saare andhere khatam ho gaye."

She blinked hard to clear his image that had blurred due to unshed tears.

"Jabse tum mil gayi mujhe, sab kuch achha lagne laga... raat ka andhera kaala nahi raha, tumhare sapnon se rangeen ho gaya... subah ki roshni umeed ki kiran ban gayi... aur ab jo tum hamesha ke liye meri ho gayi ho toh lagta hai mujhse zayada khoobsurat subah toh kisi ne dekhi hi nahi hogi kabhi." His eyes brimmed with love as he again placed a kiss on her forehead.

She wrapped her arms around him, "Kaash main tumhare unn saare dinon ke dard khatam kar paati."

He hooked one finger under her chin, making her look up, "Tumne kar diye... saare dard mita diye... saare darr bhula diye... ab main sirf tumhe dekhta hun... khuli aankhon se sapnon mein, jab tum saath na ho toh khyalon mein... tum mera sabse bada sapna thi aur ab tum mera sabse bada sach ho."

"Sameer, tum kabhi dukhi mat hona... main dekh nahi paungi." Her eyes filled up again as she looked into his eyes.

"Jab tum mere paas ho, meri sabse badi khushi, meri sabse roshan subah, toh main kyon dukhi hounga, meri jaan." He wiped her unshed tears, cupping her face with one hand.

She hid herself in the crook of his neck, silently praying that the darkness of his past is completely erased from his life.

Next update tomorrow evening